“A mobile phone is as much about functionality as it is about style, and the user-friendly aspect of our Oystr phone has proven tremendously popular,” said Tom Maguire, vice president of global marketing and product planning at Kyocera Wireless Corp. “MARBL kicks that same sensible functionality up a notch with a slimmer, more modern look that is sure to win many fans among both new and existing Virgin Mobile customers.” A recent report from NPD Group indicates that having a flip-phone form factor is the most important in buying a new cell phone. [The NPD Group/Mobile Phone Track - 12/06]

Weighing less than 3 ounces and measuring .8 inches thin, MARBL by Kyocera Wireless is available now at Virgin Mobile’s more than 35,000 retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Target, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com and Virgin Mobile’s own Web site, www.virginmobileusa.com,. The company will also offer a full suite of Genuine Accessories by Kyocera???? to support the phone, such as hands-free headsets.

via Kyocera Wireless

Specifications

• Dimensions: 3.3″ high, 1.7″ wide, .8″ thick
• Weigh-in: 2.96 ounces
• Full-color screen
• Mobile Web Browsing
• Text Messaging
• Two way speakerphone
• TTY/TDD enabled for the hearing impaired, HAC rating M4, T4
• Battery Life: 3.8 hours talk time, 9 days standby time